These New Pediatric Development Clinics in Rwanda Save Lives

By D éogratias Rwangabo Nkurunziza, Communication Officer ; Richard Kalisa, Newborn and child health advisor A PDC nurse examines baby Sebastien at Ruhengeri Referral Hospital. Photo by Deogratias Rwangabo Nkurunziza for IntraHealth International.January 31, 2023The birth of a baby is often a joyous, momentous occasion. For Izabayo Marcel, however, August 2021 was a heartbreaking month. His wife died while giving birth to their baby, Sebastien Duhirwe, and Sebastien suffered from birth asphyxia, which left him fighting for his life.The doctors and nurses at the Ruhengeri Referral Hospital acted quickly—and their skills saved baby Sebastien.At-risk infants often don ' t get optimal support for their health.Babies such as Sebastien who experience asphyxiated births face greater risk of complications, including cerebral palsy, seizures, paralysis, and slowed mental development. Although advances in technology and greater quality of care have helped more at-risk infants survive the early neonatal period, these infants face more challenges once they leave the hospital and go back to their communities, where they often don’t get optimal support for their health, nutrition, and development. Their chances of survival go down.To help health workers provide holistic care (including medical, nutritional, and psychosocial support to boost physical and cognitive development of at-risk children), IntraHealth International’sIngobyi Activity initiated Pediatri...
Source: IntraHealth International - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Tags: Maternal, Newborn, & Child Health Health workforce development Midwives Nurses Source Type: news